The phrase "stem cells" is well known to all of our readers. These amazing cells, found in the body of many living organisms, are capable of transforming into cells of various organs and tissues. What, in fact, scientists from different countries are trying to use. With the help of these cells, you can build up bone tissue or restore damaged tissues of internal organs. But such treatment is still at a very early stage of study, so it must be used with extreme caution. Three patients of a clinic in Florida, for example, regretted very much that they had decided on stem cell treatment, as they lost their eyesight because of this.
Three elderly patients came to the clinic due to the fact that they all gradually lost their vision from age-related macular degeneration. The effectiveness of stem cell therapy for the restoration of vision has not been officially proven, however, the women agreed to carry out all the necessary procedures. As a result, the patients were not only unable to restore their original vision, but also completely lost it. The story of the tragically ended treatment was published in the pages of The New England Journal of Medicine.
The article was written by Jeffrey Goldberg, ophthalmologist professor at Stanford University, in collaboration with several of his colleagues. The scientist stressed that two out of three patients started stem cell treatment after unsuccessful eye surgeries. In addition, he doubted that women were sufficiently informed about the possible risks, as well as that this type of therapy has so far been very little researched and can lead to completely unexpected results. However, more and more clinics offering stem cell therapy are opening in the United States.
The procedure cost all three women approximately $ 5,000. In the documents they signed, there was no mention of the therapy being clinically tested, but this did not bother any of the patients. Stem cells were isolated from fat extracted from patients' bodies and blood taken from them. Due to the fact that the material is provided by the patients themselves, no authorization documents from the American FDA commission are required. After unsuccessful treatment, the clinic was forced to stop carrying out such procedures. Those responsible for the tragedy are likely to be punished. But the incident is still under investigation. Two women injured brought legal claims against the clinic.
SERGEY GRAY